QUARTET OF BRITONS STAKE EARLY LEAD AT AMLIN INTERNATIONAL MOTH REGATTA

QUARTET OF BRITONS STAKE EARLY LEAD AT AMLIN INTERNATIONAL MOTH REGATTA
To no one’s surprise, a quartet of Britons set the pace today in the first day of the Amlin International Moth Regatta.
Rob Greenhalgh (above), Paul Goodison, Chris Rashley and Chris Draper hold first through fourth, respectively, after the first three races of the regatta.
WATCH: Day 1 Highlights
Greenhalgh, the European champion, leads with 6 points, followed by Goodison with 7 points, Rashley with 9 points and Draper with 13 points. Greenhalgh and Rashley are class veterans while Goodison and Draper are from America’s Cup teams Artemis Racing and SoftBank Team Japan, respectively.
The three races were held on Great Sound in mixed conditions. The first and third races were ideal, sailed in 10 to 12 knots of breeze, and the fleet was able to get on the hydrofoils and stay on them, which is the key to success in the class.
The second race was started in winds around 10 knots but the breeze died out as the fleet approached the first windward mark during a light rain squall. In the light winds it was harder to get on the foils, especially for the heavier sailors, and some dropped from the leading pack.
Greenhalgh acknowledged that the regatta is only in its infancy (as many as 15 races are planned), but he was very satisfied with his 1-4-1 scoreline. “The second race was tricky when it got light, but I was able to let it rip a bit more in the other two races,” said Greenhalgh. “It’s all about how you get better during the event.”